Wall System Having Furniture Modules and Accessories for Attaching and Finishing the Modules

ABSTRACT

A furniture system has multiple modules in which two or more modules may be arranged together in a variety of combinations. Adjacent modules may be attached using turnbuckles which evenly space the modules and provide a gap between modules. The gap may be masked with removable pilasters that match the finish of the furniture modules. The outer walls of each module are unfinished and therefore end caps may be secured to the outer walls of an assembled system. The end caps match the finish of the modules. Each module has associated with it height adjustable rollers and at least one of those rollers may be locked to prevent rotation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/961,237 filed Jul. 19, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) furniture and moreparticularly, to furniture modules that are provided with hardwarepermitting easy assembly and disassembly while, at the same time,retaining continuity between modules to provide the appearance of acontinuous furniture system.

2. Description of Related Art

The assembly and disassembly of RTA furniture modules to provide afurniture system often times becomes difficult because, in order for themodules to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, adjacentmodules must be uniformly spaced apart, while at the same time,uniformly level so that they appear to be one continuous unit. Becauseof the weight of individual furniture modules, manipulating and securingadjacent modules together is difficult and without proper initialalignment of the modules, fasteners that may be used to attach modulesin the end may produce an undesirable result of misaligned furnituremodules.

A system is required for aligning and securing together furnituremodules to produce a furniture system having modules that are properlyleveled, properly aligned, and bridged with connection pieces, therebyproducing an aesthetically pleasing and securely mounted furnituresystem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a furniture system having a plurality of separate and distinctmodules adjacent to one another defining interior modules and two endmodules, wherein each module has two opposing outer walls, oneembodiment of the invention is directed toward an apparatus for aligningand securing together adjacent modules. The apparatus has a firstmounting bracket secured to the outer wall of one of the modules, asecond mounting bracket secured to the outer wall of an adjacent module,and a mechanism for moving the module outer walls toward one another.The mechanism pulls the first mounting bracket and the second mountingbracket together, thereby moving the module outer walls toward oneanother and establishing a desired gap therebetween.

In a furniture system having a plurality of separate and distinctgenerally rectangular modules, wherein each module has two opposingouter walls and, wherein when modules are adjacent to one another, thereis a gap therebetween defined by the distance between the outer walls.Another embodiment of the subject invention is directed to an apparatusfor masking the gap. The apparatus has a pad connected to an outer wallof the first module. The pad is connected to an outer wall of the secondmodule. A pilaster is secured to each pad over the gap, wherein thepilaster has a similar color and texture to that of the adjacentmodules.

Another embodiment of the subject invention is directed to a furnituremodule having opposing walls and rollers secured thereto for moving themodule back and forth. The module has at least three roller bracketssecured to the module and an adjustable roller frame secured to the eachroller bracket. The adjustable roller frame is movable up and downrelative to the roller bracket to adjust the height for leveling themodule. A roller wheel is secured within the roller frame and a lockingmember is movable relative to the wheel of the roller frame to lock andunlock the wheel from rotation.

For a furniture system having at least two modules adapted to bepositioned adjacent to one another, wherein the outer walls of eachmodule have exposed undecorated ends, yet another embodiment of thesubject invention is directed to an assembly for providing decorativeends. The assembly has a decorative end cap, a first connector attachedto the end cap, and a second connector mounted to the outermost face ofa module adapted to be secured to the first connector to secure the endcap to the module. With the end caps in place, there is an appearance ofcontinuity between the end caps and the modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a furniture system comprised of eight separatemodules;

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a front view of two modules attachedwith a pair of turnbuckles;

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating additional details of a turnbuckleconnecting two modules;

FIG. 4 is a view showing connecting pads with a fully assembledturnbuckle;

FIG. 4A is a view showing magnetic material connecting pads;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of a turnbuckle and the bracketsassociated with each module for securing the turnbuckle;

FIG. 5A is an assembled top view of the arrangement illustrated in FIG.5;

FIG. 6 is a drawing of the connecting pads located between furnituremodules for receiving a pilaster;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a module illustrating passagewayslocated in the rear of the outer wall of the module;

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing two modules secured using a connectingbracket securing the passageways between adjacent modules;

FIG. 9 is a drawing of a roller system attached to the bottom of amodule for rolling the module into position;

FIG. 9A is a bottom view of a typical module showing the location of oneset of rollers;

FIG. 10 is a drawing of a view inside in a module illustrating theaccess holes for the rollers in the rear of the module;

FIG. 11 is a drawing of a left end cap used as a finishing piece on theleft side of the end module;

FIG. 12 is a view of the end cap illustrated in FIG. 11 showingadditional details;

FIG. 13 is a perspective end view of the end cap illustrating the mannerby which the end cap is secured to a module;

FIGS. 14-18 illustrate different types of modules;

FIG. 19 illustrates a furniture system with a different configurationfrom that illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 illustrates a single module with end caps attached thereto whichmay be used as a single furniture piece;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an additional style of module;

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of a corner module;

FIG. 23 shows an exploded perspective view of a pilaster; and

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a left end cap and a right end cap87.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a furniture system 10 comprised of a plurality ofinterconnected furniture modules. In particular, from left to right inthe sequence of their attachment are a standard module 15, an officemodule 20, a library module 25, a corner module 30, a standard module35, another standard module 40, an entertainment module 45 and finally,a standard module 50. As will be seen, each of these modules is separateand distinct from one another and is connected together using fasteners,pilasters and end caps that will be hereinafter described in detail.Standard module 15 and standard module 50, since they are at the ends ofthe system 10, are end modules while the remaining modules in the system10 are interior modules.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a pair of modules which, for purposes of thisspecification, will be referred to as a first module 60 and a secondmodule 65. The purpose of such a generic label is to make clear that thefirst module 60 and second module 65 are representative of any of thepreviously described or other modules and any one module may beconnected to any other module to provide an expandable independent andportable furniture system comprised of one or more of a variety ofmodules. Directing attention to FIG. 2, first module 60 has a firstopposing outer wall 70 and a second opposing outer wall 75.Additionally, each module may have a bottom strip of decorative molding80 and a top strip of decorative molding 82. The first module 60 isconnected to the second module 65 utilizing a mechanism for moving themodule outer walls 70,75 and therefore the entire modules 60,65 towardone another. This mechanism may be at least one turnbuckle 100, althoughas illustrated in FIG. 2, there are three turnbuckles 100. The purposeof the turnbuckles 100 are two-fold. First of all, the turnbuckle 100 isdesigned to urge the first module 60 toward the second module 65 and,second of all, the turnbuckle 100 bottoms out, such that, in the closedposition, the distance between the first opposing outer wall 70 of thesecond module 65 and the second opposing outer wall 75 of the firstmodule 60 is uniform for each turnbuckle 100. It should be noted withthe turnbuckle 100 in place, there is a gap 102 between the first moduleand the second module 65. Briefly returning to FIG. 1, a pilaster 105 isused to cover the gap 102 between adjacent modules such as the standardmodule 15 and the office module 20. The pilaster 105 has the same finishand same color and texture (decorative pattern) as the adjacent modules15, 20 and, when properly placed and secured, provides a continuousappearance between adjacent modules.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a turnbuckle 100 connecting afirst opposing outer wall 70 to a second opposing outer wall 75. Theconnecting pads 110 are used to connect pilasters and are not directlyassociated with the turnbuckle 100. Therefore, the connecting pads willnot be discussed at this point.

An exploded view of the turnbuckle 100 and the hardware used to connectthe turnbuckle 100 to the first opposing outer wall 70 and the secondopposing outer wall 75 is illustrated in FIG. 5.

Directing attention to FIGS. 4 and 5, the turnbuckle 100 is used foraligning and securing together the first module 60 and the second module65. A first mounting bracket 115 is secured to the second opposing outerwall 75 of the first module 60. A second mounting bracket 120 is securedto the first opposing outer wall 70 of the second module 65, which isadjacent to the first module 60. The turnbuckle 100 is secured to thefirst mounting bracket 115 and to the second mounting bracket 120.Directing attention to FIG. 5, the turnbuckle 100 is made up of a firstpart 125 and a second part 130. The first part 125 includes a protrusion127 having a circular groove 129. The protrusion 127 fits within arecess 131 within the second part 130. A pin 132 fits within an offsetpassageway 133 in the second part 130 such that when the first part 125is secured against the second part 130 the pin 132 engages the circulargroove 129 and restricts translation between the first part 125 and thesecond part 130 but permits rotation about a central axis 135 extendingtherethrough. The first part 125 has a threaded bore 136 to accept thethreaded shank 138 of bolt 140. Similarly, the second part 130 has athreaded bore 142 which accepts the threaded shank 144 of bolt 146. FIG.6 illustrates the placement of the first mounting bracket 115 of thesecond opposing outer wall 75 of the first module 60 and the secondmounting bracket 120 on the first opposing outer wall 70 of the secondmodule 65. The first mounting bracket 115 and the second mountingbracket 120 are secured to their respective outer walls 75, 70 usingfasteners, such as screws 148, passing through holes 150 extendingthrough the brackets 115, 120.

Bracket 115 and bolt 146 (FIG. 5) will now be discussed with theunderstanding that these same features apply to bracket 120 and bolt140.

Bracket 115 includes a protruding portion 152 which is spaced from themounting plate portion 154 to define a recess 156 therein. Protrudingportion 152 additionally has a slot 158 with a width greater than thediameter of the threaded shank 144. However, the bolt 146 additionallyhas a non-circular head 160 which, in FIG. 5, is illustrated as a squarewhich is larger than the slot 158. The non-circular head 160 ispositioned within the recess 156 and is held non-rotationally therein.When the first part 125 is engaged with the second part 130, these twoparts may rotate relative to one another but are axially restrained bythe pin 132 engaged within the circular groove 129. As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the first part 125 and the second part 130 each have a seriesof flats 162, 164 about their periphery suitable for receiving a wrench.Therefore, with the bolt 140 partially engaged within the threaded bore136 of the first part 125 and the second bolt 146 partially engagedwithin the threaded bore 142 of the second part 130, the first part 125and the second part 130 may be rotated relative to one another tofurther engage each of the bolts 140, 146 and pull the adjacent modulestogether.

Directing attention to FIG. 4, when the turnbuckle 100 is engaged withthe first mounting bracket 115 and the second mounting bracket 120,rotation of the flats 162, 164 and the turnbuckle 100 results in thesecond opposing outer wall 75 and the first opposing outer wall 70 beingpulled together a predetermined distance, which occurs when theturnbuckle bottoms out. In its loosened state, the non-circular head 160of each bolt 146, for example, may be easily placed within the recess156 (FIG. 4) of each mounting bracket 115, 120 and the turnbuckletightened to pull the opposing outer walls 75, 70 together.

Returning to FIG. 3, since the turnbuckle 100 must be rotated manuallywith a wrench, access to the turnbuckle 100 is important and, for thatreason, the turnbuckle 100 is placed near the front of the furnituremodules. However, it is also desirable to secure the rear portion of themodules.

FIG. 7 illustrates the typical first opposing outer wall 70. Ofparticular interest are two passageways 165, 166 extending through theopposing outer wall 70. Although not illustrated in this figure, thesecond opposing wall 75 has similar passageways. As illustrated in FIG.8, when the first opposing outer wall 70 of a second module 65 isaligned with the second opposing wall 75 of a first module 60, thepassageways 165, 166 are aligned with one another. The passageways 165,166 are large enough to accommodate the hand of a user and, as a result,a spacer bracket 170 having a first U-shaped portion 172 fits around andstraddles the thickness of the second opposing outer wall 75 while thesecond U-shaped portion 174 fits around the first opposing outer wall70. The middle portion 176 of the spacer bracket 170 is sized such thatthe distance between the first opposing outer walls 70 and the secondopposing outer wall 75 in the region of the spacer bracket 170 isidentical to the distance between the first opposing outer wall 70 andthe second opposing outer wall 75 adjacent to a tightened turnbuckle100. Additionally, the passageways are positioned away from theturnbuckles 100 to maximize the effectiveness of the spacer brackets170. In such a fashion, the first opposing outer wall and secondopposing outer wall are uniformly spaced along their entire surfaces.

Directing attention to FIGS. 9 and 10, each module, for example standardmodule 40, has attached thereto rollers for moving the module 40 backand forth. In particular, a roller 180 is comprised of a roller bracket182 secured to the module 40. An adjustable roller frame 184 is securedto the roller bracket 182. The adjustable roller frame 184 is moveableup and down relative to the roller bracket 182 to adjust the height ofthe module 40. In particular, a leveling bolt 186 is threadingly engagedwithin the roller bracket 182 and abuts the roller frame 184 such thatrotationally advancing the leveling bolt 186 urges the roller bracket182 away from the roller frame 184, thereby lifting the module 40. Theroller 180 is further comprised of a roller wheel 190 secured within theroller frame 184 and permitted to rotate. However, a locking bolt 192 isthreadingly engaged with the roller frame 184 and is moveable relativeto the wheel 190 of the roller frame 184 to lock and unlock the wheel190 from rotation by contact with the roller wheel 190. It should benoted that the roller 180 found in FIG. 9 is mounted toward the frontand to the outside of the module wall. The roller 180 is located withinthe gap 102 (FIG. 2) created by two adjacent modules. As a result, boththe leveling bolt 186 and the locking bolt 192 are easily accessiblefrom the front of the modules. As seen in FIG. 9A, there are two frontrollers 180 mounted to the outside of the module 40 outer walls 70, 75.

However, directing attention to FIGS. 9A and 10, there are also tworollers 195 mounted toward the rear and inside of the module 40. Theserollers 195 are identical to rollers 180 but do not have the lockingbolt 192 hardware. These rollers 195 are not as accessible and, as aresult, access holes 194 are provided in the rear and through the bottomof each module. A tool may be inserted therein to engage the levelingbolt 186 of the rollers 195. Rollers 195 and rollers 180 may be adjustedto level the entire module 40. As stated, the back portion of eachmodule has a set of rollers 195 with a leveling bolt 186 but do notinclude a locking bolt 192. This feature is present only in the frontrollers of the module 40.

As previously mentioned, FIG. 1 illustrates a left end cap 85 and aright end cap 87 which have decorative moldings and the same color andtexture as each of the modules. Regardless of the module selection forthe furniture system, the left end cap 85 and the right end cap 87 willalways be present. The outer walls 70,75 of each module are unfinishedsurfaces and therefore the end modules have outer walls that, withoutend caps, would be exposed. As an example and as illustrated in FIG. 7,which shows a typical first opposing outer wall 70, the wall is plainand undecorated and the second outer opposing wall 75 is the same. As aresult, the end caps 85, 87 and the pilasters (to be discussed) arefinishing parts that provide a continuous appearance to any furnituresystem that may be assembled in accordance with the subject invention.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate different views of the left end cap 85.However, it should be appreciated that the decorative features of theend cap 85 illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are slightly differentfrom those illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the general purpose of theend cap 85 providing a continuous appearance at the end of the modulestring is achieved through the design associated with FIGS. 11-13 and,for that reason, while it should be noted that the decorative trim ofend cap 85 is missing in FIGS. 11-13, the same principles apply and thesame reference numbers will be utilized.

The left end cap 85 is comprised of a front panel 202 and a side panel205 which are designed to blend with the design of the modules inaccordance with the furniture system.

Although the left end cap 85 will be discussed, it should be appreciatedthat the right end cap 87 has identical features although reversed toaccommodate the opposite side of the furniture system.

On the inner surface of the side panel 205 are mounted a plurality ofidentical brackets 207 having a mounting plate portion 209 secured tothe inner surface 211 of the side panel 205 by fasteners 213. Extendingfrom the mounting plate portion 209 is a cantilevered portion 215 whichextends into a locking tab 217 oriented approximately perpendicular tothe cantilevered portion 215. FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of theleft end cap 85 secured to an adjacent module such as the standardmodule 15. Mounted upon the first opposing outer wall 70 of the standardmodule 15 are mounting brackets 220 with fasteners 222. The mountingbrackets 220 have a mid-portion 225 spaced from the first opposing outerwall 70 to define a receiving opening 227. The locking tabs 217 of thebrackets 207 fit from above within the receiving opening 227 to supportand properly locate the left end cap 85 upon the adjacent standardmodule 15. It should be noted that the length of the cantileveredportion 215 should be sized such that the front panel 202 abuts with thefirst opposing outer wall 70 of the standard module 15. As a result, theundecorated ends of any particular module may be provided with a leftend cap 85 or a right end cap 87, each of which is decorated to matchthe decor or the adjacent module. The bracket 207 attached to the leftend cap 85 and the mounting bracket 220 attached to the first opposingouter wall 70 of the module, act to secure the end cap 85 to the module15.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, between each of the modules is a pilaster 105which covers the gap 102 (FIG. 3) between each module with a panel thatblends in appearance and provides a continuum between the modules.Directing attention to FIG. 4, pads 110 are connected to the firstopposing outer wall 70 and the second opposing outer wall 75 of modulesthat are adjacent to one another. As a general guideline, a pair ofconnecting pads 110 may be located adjacent each of the turnbuckles 100.As illustrated in FIG. 4, each connecting pad 110 is comprised of alayer of plastic Velcro which mates with opposing plastic Velcro (notshown) mounted upon the inside surface of the pilaster 105. In anotherembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, magnetic material connecting pads110 may be used in place of the plastic Velcro connecting pads 110 tomate with opposing steel plates (not shown) on the inner surface of thepilaster 105. As a result, when two modules are adjacent to one another,with a gap 102 therebetween, defined by the distance between the firstopposing outer wall 70 of one module and the second opposing outer wall75 of another module, a pilaster 105 is secured by connecting pads 110to cover the gap 102, wherein the pilaster 105 has a decorative patternand profile similar to that of the modules. It should be noted that inFIG. 1, the top and bottom of each module has decorative trim and thepilaster will have matching identical decorative trim as well.

While FIG. 1 illustrated a plurality of different types of modules, allthat is required for any customized module to be compatible with thefurniture system described herein is that the module have a firstopposing outer wall 70 and a second opposing outer wall 75 similar tothat described herein. As a result, a module can have any number ofdesigns or features. FIGS. 14-18 illustrate different types of modulesthat are compatible with the subject furniture system.

Again referring to FIG. 1, eight separate modules are illustrated toform a relatively large furniture system 10. However, FIG. 19illustrates an arrangement where only the office module 20, the standardmodule 15 and a second standard module 35 are assembled. Left end cap 85is secured to standard module 15 and right end cap 87 is secured tostandard module 35, wherein each module is also secured to the officemodule 20. Pilasters 105 are secured between the standard module 15 andthe office module 20 and between the office module 20 and the standardmodule 35.

Although the furniture system so far described has addressed multiplemodules, directing attention to FIG. 20, it is entirely possible for aconsumer to purchase a single module such as the entertainment module230 and attach thereto the left end cap 85 and the right end cap 87 toprovide a stand-alone furniture system with only a single module.

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an additional style of module.

FIG. 22 illustrates the corner module 30 showing the first opposingouter wall 70 oriented perpendicular to the second opposing outer wall75.

FIG. 23 shows the front portion 107 and the top portion 109 of a typicalpilaster 105, including the top decorative molding 80 and the bottomdecorative molding 82.

FIG. 24 shows additional details of a left end cap 85 and a right endcap 87, including the top decorative molding 80 and the bottomdecorative molding 82.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presentlypreferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative onlyand not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be giventhe full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalentsthereof.

1. A furniture system comprised of: a) a plurality of separate anddistinct modules adjacent to one another defining interior modules andtwo end modules, wherein each module has two opposing outer walls; b) anapparatus for aligning and securing together adjacent modules, whereinthe apparatus has: 1) a first mounting bracket secured to the outer wallof one of the modules; 2) a second mounting bracket secured to theadjacent outer wall of an adjacent module; and 3) a mechanism for movingthe module outer walls toward one another and establishing a desired gaptherebetween.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanismis a turnbuckle secured to the first and second mounting brackets,wherein the turnbuckle may be rotated to pull the first mounting bracketand the second mounting bracket together thereby moving the module outerwalls toward one another and establishing a desired gap therebetween. 3.The system according to claim 1, wherein the turnbuckle is comprised ofa first part rotatively connected to a second part, wherein each of theparts have internal threaded bores along a common axis with boltsthreadingly engaged therein, wherein mounting plates are secured to themodule outer walls, wherein each mounting plate has a recess thatnon-rotatively captures the head of each bolt such that rotation of theturnbuckle parts results in the bolts being drawn into the threadedbores, thereby pulling the outer walls together.
 4. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein the mechanism for moving the module walls ispositioned near the front of the modules and at least one rigid spacerbracket is positioned away from the mechanism to maintain the gap acrossthe entire surface of the outer walls.
 5. The system according to claim4, wherein there is a least one passageway positioned away from themechanism, the passageway extends within one module and is aligned withanother passageway in an adjacent module, and wherein the spacer bracketspaces engages the passageways of the modules to space the modules atthe desired gap.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein thepassageway exposes a portion of the wall thickness and the spacerbracket has a middle portion and two opposing U-shaped ends and whereinthe U-shaped ends each straddle the thickness of a respective outer walland maintain the gap between the opposing walls.
 7. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket has a connecting pad mountedthereto facing the front of the module to accept a pilaster with a colorand texture similar to the color and texture of the adjacent modules formasking the gap between the modules and providing a seamless transitiontherebetween.
 8. The system according to claim 7, further including apilaster secured to the connecting pad.
 9. The system according to claim8, wherein the connecting pad has a Velcro surface to accept a matingVelcro surface on the back of the pilaster.
 10. The system according toclaim 8, wherein the connecting pad and the rear side of the pilasterare magnetically coupled.
 11. In a furniture system having a pluralityof separate and distinct modules, wherein each module has two opposingouter walls, a front surface having a color and texture and wherein whenmodules are adjacent to one another there is a gap therebetween definedby the distance between the outer walls, an apparatus for masking thegap comprised of: a) a pad connected to an outer wall of the firstmodule; b) a pad connected to an outer wall of the second module; and c)a pilaster secured to each pad over the gap, wherein the pilaster has asimilar color and texture to that of the adjacent modules.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the pilaster is attached to theconnecting pad through a Velcro connection
 13. The apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein the pilaster is magnetically attached to theconnecting pad.
 14. A furniture module having opposing walls and rollerssecured thereto for moving the module back and forth, wherein the moduleis comprised of: a) at least three roller brackets secured to themodule; b) an adjustable roller frame secured to each roller bracket,wherein the adjustable roller frame is movable up and down relative tothe roller bracket to adjust the height for leveling the module.
 15. Thefurniture module according to claim 12, further including; a) a rollerwheel secured within each roller frame; and b) a locking member withinat least one roller frame.
 16. The furniture module according to claim15, further including a wheel and the locking member is movable relativeto the wheel of the roller frame to lock and unlock the wheel fromrotation.
 17. For a furniture system having at least two modules adaptedto be positioned adjacent to one another wherein each module has frontwalls with a decorative appearance having a texture and color and outerwalls, an assembly for providing matching decorative ends to cover theouter walls comprised of: a) a decorative end cap having a texture andcolor similar to that of the module front face; b) a first connectorattached to the end cap; and c) a second connector mounted to theoutermost face of a module adapted to be secured to the first connectorto secure the end cap to the module, such that with the end caps inplace, there is a seamless transition between the decorative frontsurface and the decorative end caps.
 18. The assembly according to claim15, wherein each end cap has at least one module bracket that fixes to amounting bracket secured to the outer exposed surface of a module. 19.The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the end cap module brackethas a locking tab that engages a receiving opening within the mountingbracket.
 20. A furniture system comprised of: a) a plurality of modules,each module having a decorative front face and exposed outer walls,wherein the modules are positioned adjacent to one another to definewithin the group interior modules and two end modules; b) a firstmounting bracket secured to the outer walls of one modules; c) a secondmounting bracket secured to an adjacent outer wall of an adjacentmodule; and d) a turnbuckle secured to each pair of first and secondmounting brackets, wherein the turnbuckle may be rotated to pull thefirst mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket together therebymoving the module outer walls toward one another and establishing adesired gap therebetween; e) a pilaster secured between each adjacentmodule to mask the gap, wherein each pilaster has the color and thetexture of the adjacent modules such that the transition therebetween isseamless; and f) a decorative end cap secured to the exposed outer wallsof the end modules, wherein the end cap has a color and texture similarto that of the end modules such that the transition therebetween isseamless.